Teachers Federation members at Gulgong High School in the Central West have walked off the job over the impact the shortage of casual teachers is having on their school.
NSW Teachers Federation Deputy President Henry Rajendra said staff walked out because the Education Department had failed to adequately address the state wide staffing crisis which had negatively impacted teachers’ workload and well-being.
“Our members at Gulgong High are concerned that teaching and learning programs at the school have been heavily disrupted by the staffing crisis,” Mr Rajendra said.
“Teachers complain their professional learning opportunities are limited because no casual teachers are available.”
“They have condemned the increasing administrative burdens placed on teachers and the recently introduced Student Behaviour Strategy which they say has been introduced without adequate support for teachers.”
Mr Rajendra said the Gallop Inquiry into the work of teachers found earlier this year that uncompetitive salaries for teachers and unsustainable workloads are leading to teacher shortages.”
“The workloads of teachers have increased every year, but their salaries have fallen every year compared to other professions.”
“You can’t fix the shortages without fixing the wages and workload problem.”
“If we don’t pay teachers what they are worth, we won’t get the teachers we need.”